Adoption services...

The Childrens Home of Jefferson County received some help earlier this year from the state to develop a program for adopted children and their families to help address crises either before or after an adoption is finalized.

The 18-month, $398,961 award from the state Office of Children and Family Services, part of the 2011-12 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Prevention and Post Adoption grants, allowed the agency to form a pre/post-adoption program for low-income families, according to Childrens Home Administration Services Director Barbara J. Peck.

The Childrens Home runs foster-care programs in both Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. While an initial goal may be to reunite families after a childs stay in foster care, returning home is not always suitable. Adoption by the foster family then becomes an option.

Mrs. Peck said the agency has offered many pre-adoption services, but no post-adoption services.

Sometimes issues dont come up until several years after an adoption is final, she said.

The new program fills that gap in service for those who qualify. Everyone in the family would benefit from the post-adoption program, Mrs. Peck said, not just the adopted child or children. The agency is offering this program to low-income families, allowing them to have access to resources they might otherwise not be able to afford. People interested in applying for the program can call the Childrens Home at 788-7430.

Megan Badour, the agencys pre/post-adoption support specialist, will lead the new program. According to the program brochure, key components include advocacy services, respite services, 24-hour assistance, counseling, casework contact, support groups, family goal setting and action plan development, implementing self-sufficiency plans, home visits, parent meetings, family training workshops, intensive assistance for special needs, a resource library with up-to-date information and educational opportunities. The program is available for families in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties who meet program income guidelines.

Were hoping we can keep it going when the grant runs out, Mrs. Peck said.

The Childrens Home will celebrate its new program from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Sturtz Theater at Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen St., when presenter Arthur Becker-Weidman will discuss attachment-facilitating parenting.

According to a Childrens Home news release, the first half of his presentation will go over the principles of trauma-informed treatment and phases of treatment and offer a case demonstration. Attendees later will learn about effects of trauma on child development and principles of effective parenting.

Mr. Becker-Weidman has focused on the evaluation and treatment of adopted and foster children and their families, complex post-traumatic stress disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome, according to the release. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Marylands Institute for Child Study. An adoptive parent of a 14-year-old boy from China, Mr. Becker-Weidman founded the Center for Family Development, Williamsville.

There will be no admission charge for the presentation, but reservations are requested by Jan. 4 and may be made by sending an email to Sherry Ruoff at sruoff@nnychildrenshome.com or calling the agency at 788-7430, ext. 3014.

The event is sponsored by the agency, Samaritan Medical Center, the Watertown Daily Times and Jefferson County Community Services.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.